Soil chemical properties, arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization, AM fungal morphology in root and diversity of AM fungi in rubber plantations of three different age groups of 5, 10 and 30 years old of Tripura, North-East India were investigated. The result exhibited positive correlation (p<0.05) between AM colonization and spore density with available nitrogen. There was a positive significant correlation between AM colonization with spore density. AM fungal colonization was significantly higher in 5 and 10 than 30 years old plantation. Arum type of AM fungal morphology was observed in the root. A total of 12 morphotypes were isolated belonging to the genera Acaulospora, Ambispora and Glomus. Out of which 5, 9 and 9 AM fungal species were isolated from the rubber plantations of 30, 10 and 5 years old, respectively. Shannon diversity index was highest in 5 years old and lowest in 30 years old plantation. Evenness was highest in 30 years old and lowest in 10 years old plantation. The relation of soil chemical properties with AM fungal colonization and AM fungal species composition is discussed.

Background The monocotyledonous herbaceous crop Dioscorea is native to tropical and temperate regions of the world. Dioscorea tubers are dioecious in nature, have colossal therapeutic potentiality, and are frequently used in traditional medical practices throughout the world. Most of the research works are aimed to determine the medicinal property, nutritions, antinutrients, and biological activities of Dioscorea spp. without specifying the sexes of Dioscorea which promoted us to carry out this present research work. Results Sex-specific variation of phytoconstituents, antioxidants, and antimicrobial efficiency in tubers was appraised. The results obtained from this study divulge existence of significant quantitative variation between the male and female tubers. The female tubers are superior in acquiring phytochemicals compared to male counterparts and acquired maximum antioxidant and antimicrobial potentiality. Conclusion This study will offer an apposite baseline for further sex-specific assessment which can be directed towards both qualitative and quantitative amelioration of medicinally important noble compounds by exploiting modern scientific strategies leading to their active participation in nutraceutical industries.

The uncommon earth tongue, Trichoglossum tetrasporum, is recorded for the first time from India. Macroscopic and microscopic characters of the species are described and illustrated along with its world distribution.

An ethno-medicinal investigation was conducted for the documentation of the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants being used by the Manipuri community of north Tripura district. This present investigation provides valuable information about the different uses of plants in their primary health care system. The information had been documented by interviewing their own medicine man called Maiba or Maibi following different ethnobotanical methods. We have documented 43 plants species belonging to 35 families used for treating 42 human ailments. Among the medicinal plants reported, the most common growth form was herbs (55.81%) followed by trees (30.99%) and shrubs (13.95%). Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. The high degree of consensus among the informants suggests that existing use and knowledge are still strong, and thus the preservation of indigenous knowledge would show good prudence in acting before much has been lost. This study also provides a better database for future studies.

The present study was aimed to study monthly colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungal associations in rice. The presence of mycorrhizal structures in the roots confirms the colonization by AM fungi. The pattern of hyphae and arbuscules denotes Arum type of AM fungal morphology. The presence of dark coloured septate hyphae running frequently on the epidermal layer and in root cortex and the occurrence of microsclerotia marks the colonization by DSE fungi. The co-occurrence of both AM and DSE fungi ensure dual colonization by two distinct fungal groups. There was significant increase in arbuscules, vesicles and hyphal percentages from first to third month in both the samples collected from two sites. In the third month, AM colonization significantly higher in both the sites. DSE colonization percentages do not differ significantly in first to third month. A total of nine AM fungal species were recovered from two sites. This study is an effort to make aware the local farmers about the usefulness of these native AM mycobiota which can be a preferable choice over chemical fertilizers leading to ecofriendly organic farming.